Apex, N.C. — An Apex man faces a misdemeanor child abuse charge after police say he allowed his 12-year-old son to drive a car.

The child, Apex Police Capt. Ann Stephens said Thursday that the child got nervous, hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and drove through a neighbor’s yard Tuesday night, hitting a car in the driveway.

There was about $9,000 in damage to the vehicle.

Police charged Michael Allen Grady, 40, of 502 Homestead Park Drive, after determining he was impaired while supervising the boy, Stephens said. Grady was in the vehicle with him at the time.

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landonsgrampaJun 20, 2014

I learned to drive my dad's old Jeep when I was 12. Now he wasn't drinking and we were in the middle of a cow pasture. I had to learn the truck, before he would allow me to drive a tractor. All in all, not the worst thing a 12 y/o could be doing, but just not with daddy drinking.

Todd JenkinsJun 20, 2014

LOL. The man was brilliant. Avoided a DWI and possible accident and who knows what else. My prediction is a suspended sentence or probation. A lot of do about nothing.

didisaythatJun 20, 2014

These comments are funny. The dad was allowing his son to break the law and was drunk at the time. That is Misdemeanor child abuse all day long. Sorry

Mannin BlackJun 20, 2014

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Oh I know this guy, he works at Kroger. Super nice and courteous. I agree with you T-man, why is this news.

— Posted by buford

It is news because because it is not OK to let your 12 year old drive and destroy other people's property, drunk or not! I'm not totally against letting a 12-year-old drive. But do so when you have not been drinking and in an environment where damage to personal property will not happen, like a quiet back country road, or empty parking lot. Not your neighbors yard.

bufordJun 20, 2014

Oh I know this guy, he works at Kroger. Super nice and courteous. I agree with you T-man, why is this news.

Joseph SmithJun 20, 2014

You're short on facts. The story on the news showed pictures of the short distance the car went. Private property in the front yard. He was accused of having a drink or two not being drunk. As I said all blown out of proportion.

PackCityyyyyJun 20, 2014

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Blowing this all out of proportion. As long as his insurance pays for the damage leave him alone.

— Posted by Joseph Smith

yeah since everyone gets hammered and teaches there kids to drive... nothing wrong with that at all..... smh

keeterJun 20, 2014

Roanoke Rapids PD walks into a house and stunguns a 15 yr old autistic boy = great police work

Mannin BlackJun 20, 2014

View quoted thread

Blowing this all out of proportion. As long as his insurance pays for the damage leave him alone.

— Posted by Joseph Smith

Sure. Don't give me any hassle when I decide to drink and let my little boy drive and destroy your property. I have insurance. It should be a crime to be reckless, destroy other peoples property as long as there is insurance.

Joseph SmithJun 20, 2014

Much ado about nothing. Now he has to shell out for an attorney and deal with all that expense.